A Star Shines Bright - Lemare - Cantate Domino

A star shines bright its wondrous light
  O'er Bethlehem's city shed,
To lead the way where Jesus lay,
  Upon His lonely bed.
No nobles wait, no pomp or state
  Surrounds the Babe divine,
But o'er His head bright circles spread,
  In golden glories shine.

The wise men came to bless His Name
  And own the Saviour King,
And shepherd swains from far-off plains
  Their hearts' glad incense bring.
So lowly born, He was the scorn
  Of nations, kings and priests;
No belfry chime that Christmas-time
  Rang at their lordly feasts.

But heavenly choirs attuned their lyres
  To hail a Prince's birth,
And rapturous song from angel throng
  Greeted the ear of earth.
The star is gone - the song flows on
  To herald brighter days;
And truth's pure beams in glowing streams
  Make clear life's darkened ways.

(The original first line reads "A meteor bright....").